Free Winter of Redemption by Linda Goodnight Page A

supplied.
    â€œI’m a teacher,” she said when he’d raised a curious eyebrow at some of the things she’d taken from the oversize tote. “What can I say? Always be prepared.”
    â€œBetter than a Boy Scout,” he’d replied. She’d rewarded his joke with a smile.
    Now he was teaching Davey the fine art of War, a man’s game if ever there was one. Davey, the little wart, had quickly discovered the joys of taking his adult opponents’ lower-numbered cards and was amassing quite a pile. The silent, breathy giggle was heartbreakingly cute. Cute enough to make Kade mad all over again. Somebody was gonna pay for this boy’s pain. The sooner he could get back into the investigation the better for everyone.
    When the doorbell chimed, Kade left his two guests to battle for the remaining dozen cards.
    â€œHe’s staying,” he said to the social worker the minute they shook hands. If the abrupt statement shocked Howard Prichard, he didn’t let on.
    â€œChief Rainmaker filled me in on the details.” Prichard ran a speculative gaze over Kade’s face. “I’m still curious as to how a little boy who’d been here only once could find his way back.”
    Kade bristled. Was Prichard making an accusation? “So am I, but he did. Ask him yourself.”
    He whirled and led them into the living room just as Davey slapped a nine on Sophie’s two. Sophie pretended insult, laughing, and Davey’s face glowed with pleasure. When he saw Howard Prichard, the pleasure evaporated. He bolted up from his spot on the floor beside the coffee table and looked wildly around. Sophie took his hand and tugged. The boy collapsed against her, clinging.
    Kade ground his back teeth in frustration. “Thanks to your red tape he was up half the night, in the cold, and vulnerable to any kind of predator.” He hoped Prichard had sense enough to understand that predators didn’t have to be wild animals. “He stays with me and he stays safe.”
    Sophie, with more diplomacy than Kade could muster, levered up from the floor and brought Davey with her still clinging. “Why don’t you gentlemen sit down so we can discuss Davey’s situation? Would you care for some coffee?”
    â€œNothing for me, Sophie. Thanks.” Jesse Rainmaker stood behind Ida June’s stuffed chair, his thick brown fingers resting on the green upholstery. He was solid and calm and coolheaded in the way Kade once had been. Stay aloof. Don’t let it touch you personally. It’s all about the job.
    â€œI’m fine, too. Thank you,” Prichard said, waving away her offer as he settled on the sofa.
    Good, Kade thought. Much as he respected Rainmaker, he was in no mood to be hospitable. Forget the coffee and niceties. He wasn’t letting another kid slip through the cracks.
    With a soothing hand on Davey’s back and while holding him close to her hip in a protective, motherly manner, Sophie said, “Howard, I’m sure we can work out a reasonable solution to this problem. You’ve known me for years. My school does background checks on everyone and I’ve taught in this town long enough for you to know I care about children. Kade McKendrick is a police officer with federal-level clearances living here with Ida June Click, whom you’ve also known forever. They are certainly capable of caring for Davey until his family is found.”
    Kade shot her a sour look. He would find Davey’s family. Nothing could stop him. But he wasn’t expecting them to want Davey back. Miss Optimistic couldn’t get it into her happy head that the world wasn’t all cookie-nice and Christmas-peaceful.
    â€œI’ll take him,” he said to Sophie. “You have your job and your Christmas projects.”
    â€œAs long as he’s with one of us.” She rubbed the back of Davey’s hair as he gazed up at her, listening to every word. The